The sun had barely risen over Ether Town when the soft creak of wooden boards echoed behind the inn.
In the cool morning air, Rem and Luke faced off, their breaths visible in the faint chill.
Kiara sat cross-legged on the sidelines, leaning back against a post, her sleepy eyes half-lidded as she watched them.
"Come on, Luke," Rem said, his tone calm but challenging. "You've been boasting about how much faster you've gotten. Show me."
Luke wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "You asked for it."
Without hesitation, he surged forward, his fists snapping out with practiced precision.
With every strike, bursts of soul energy radiated from his limbs, small explosions of force that propelled him faster than any normal human could move.
Rem remained relaxed, his stance loose yet perfectly balanced.
As Luke's attacks came in quick succession, Rem deflected them with fluid precision.